Casual but good near Treetops golf resort [Gaylord, MI]

[itryalot]

Posting for a group of 4 men, meat/salad and fish eaters. Nothing greasy and nothing formal. Will have a car and can drive within 20 mins.

[mgebs]

Head 15 mins. east of Treetops on 32 to Johanisburg to Paul's Pub. They have great pub grub, fish fry, make your own pasta dish, steaks. Fast ,competent service and reasonable prices.

[itryalot]

Round 2 of golf this year.Any updates?

[tokyo]

Bearded Dogg Lounge on Otsego Ave. (connected to Spud Warehouse).
www.beardeddogglounge.com

[sammyo]

Are you playing all your golf at Treetops or nearby? If you get up to the Petoskey/Harbor Springs area, there are a lot better choices. For me, it would be worth th drive - 40 minutes or so, Meanwhile, play well. Are you playing The Tribute? It's great. I love the Par 3 course at Treetops...but I digress.

[itryalot]

Most at Treetops; some at Otsego.

[mgebs]

Gobblers' is south of town and serves good, flavorful turkey with gravy, biscuits, etc. Diana's has moved their space to the north side of the street and serves very timely fare, i.e. quiche, soup and salad combos, chili, creative sandwiches. No alcohol. Bennethum's is deffinitely the place to go for a good dinner with varied selections, including appetizers and desserts.

[mdepsmom]

It's been probably 11 or 12 years since I was last in Gaylord, but I recall having a few good meals at the "turkey" restaurant in town -- it may have been called Gobbler something? It was always packed, and seemed to be very popular.

[coney with everything]

I had the same thought...I remember the turkey being very tasty, like homemade.

We were there in the winter so the place was packed with snowmobilers as it's adjacent to the trail.

I think they serve beer/wine, but definitely a "family" vibe.

[tokyo]

Sheesh, I will try this again:

Though I do not personally endorse Diana's Delights, it gets consistent raves and is beloved by several of my friends.

Also, brunch at Otsego Club in case we get a snowstorm and they have to stop golfing. ;)

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Diana's Delights
143 W Main St, Gaylord, MI 49735

[schaf1]

Beware of the Sugar Bowl, used to be great. Now it's abysmal. Go to the Old Depot, 10 minutes from TreeTops-get soup, perch & a piece of pie. You'll be glad you did!

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Old Depot
10826 M 32 E, Johannesburg, MI 49751

[itryalot]

Will be driving from POrt Huron. Is there a good grocer we should stop at? Will have a kitchenette. Libations and iced tea, some fruit and snacks for the morning.

[tokyo]

There is a Meijer in Gaylord that should cover it.

[itryalot]

What about restaurants at any of the golf courses since they will be golfing elsewhere? So far, they had targeted these:
Bennethum’s Northern Inn
Sugar Bowl Restaurant
El Rancho Mexican Restaurant
Duck Blind Grille Restaurant At Otsego Club
Brothers Coffee & Tea
Loon Golf Resort Restaurant

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Brothers Coffee & Tea
416 W Main St, Gaylord, MI 49735

Sugar Bowl
216 W Main St, Gaylord, MI 49735

The Duck Blind
210 Washington St, Kingston Mines, IL 61539

El Rancho Mexican Restaurant
390 S Dexter St, Ionia, MI 48846

Northern Inn
43673 218th St, Osage, MN 56570

[tokyo]

I'll have to let someone else weigh in on the golf resort restaurants. I had a decent meal at the restaurant at Michaywe once and I've been to weddings at Otsego Club, but that's it.
Ok, here's the thing about northern Michigan. There are *very* few places I feel comfortable recommending as sure bets for a good experience. Many places are great one time and maddening the next. That being said... Brothers Coffee is worth a stop, though I can't vouch for the food. Throw in Big Bear Deli, too, if you need a quick snack or pastry. El Rancho is good if you are craving Mexican food. It isn't the greatest, but it should satisfy, especially for... wait for it... northern Michigan. I hate to keep coming back to that, but it is truly relative. Please, please, do not go to La Senorita if you do decide on Mexican.
I don't get Sugar Bowl. It has a good reputation, I don't know why. I thought it had jumped the shark 15 years ago, but I still hear people recommending it. I think it's overpriced and maybe just resting on accolades from years past. Long, long past. But some people really like those old school places where nothing has changed for aeons.

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Michaywe
1535 Opal Lake Rd, Gaylord, MI 49735

[itryalot]

I am getting that same sense just doing some quick searches. At this point, they'd drive even for some...dare I say it....chain restaurant with consistent food where they know what they are going to get.
I appreciate the honesty.

[tokyo]

How many meals will they be venturing out for? That would factor into the suggestions, I suppose. Bennethum's would definitely be better than chain food. Big Bear and Brothers are good stops because they're quick and they give you some local flavor. Even if you catch them on a bad day, it's not like shelling out $30 and an hour of your life for a bad meal. You'll figure, 'meh', and move on. On the other hand, you could be pleasantly surprised. For the most part, when a visitor to the area leaves a with a good memory of a restaurant, it's *usually* because of the atmosphere or feeling that place evokes for the person, not because of great food. Don't get me wrong, it's possible to get good food, but great is hit or miss.

[tokyo]

Bennethum's Northern Inn
3917 S. Old 27
Gaylord, MI
www.bennethums.com

Some people like to check out Big Buck Brewery for their over the top "Up North" hunting lodge vibe, but I'm not a fan of the food or atmosphere. I'd stick with Bennethum's for dinner.

[boagman]

You know what's crazy? When Big Buck Brewery originally opened *ages* ago, it actually was awesome. As it's gone on, it's gotten worse, worse, and worse...until now, when I'm absolutely right there with you on the place. It's just awful.

[tokyo]

Yeah, it's just kind of worn out I think.

[boagman]

Hmm...I don't mean to be naive, but where, exactly, is Treetops golf resort?